The Lahore High Court (LHC) has announced a complete ban on commercial activities in Lahore every Sunday to combat rising smog and environmental pollution. The court also reinforced a 10pm closure for restaurants and marriage halls across the city.
Justice Shahid Karim issued the order while hearing petitions regarding Lahore’s worsening air quality. During the hearing, Deputy Commissioner Lahore Musa Raza presented notifications mandating the closure of markets and restaurants by 10pm, emphasizing that enforcement was critical, not just issuance of notices.
The court also instructed a director-level officer from the Environment Department to provide regular updates on progress during each hearing. Meanwhile, a commission member highlighted that ongoing construction near Khayaban-e-Firdousi was causing daily traffic congestion. WASA’s legal adviser, Irfan Akram, stated that sewerage system upgrades are in progress and reports will be submitted in the next hearing, scheduled for November 7.
Lahore, once again, has topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 372, categorized as “hazardous” according to IQAir. Officials attribute the poor air quality to polluted easterly winds from India and surrounding areas, which have blanketed Punjab in toxic haze, reducing visibility and causing health issues such as coughing, throat irritation, and breathing difficulties.
The smog worsens every winter due to cooler temperatures, stagnant winds, emissions from vehicles and factories, and seasonal crop burning by farmers. Prolonged exposure to this toxic air poses severe health risks, including heart disease, strokes, lung cancer, and respiratory disorders, according to the World Health Organization.
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